Then I made tube hats...
Food tastes better, the sun came out, family members started loving me again.
I've put away the gun and started listening to music again.
YES! Yes, I shall go on.

Funny how the little things do the trick. ;)

Ummm...they look cool, but do they have any other purpose than looking cool? (Besides all of the wonderful uplifting things that have since happened in your life?) Bob

I'd like a set for my R-390A. Oughta be able to pick up Saturn on a clear day, then? Yr check for $8995.95 is in the mail...<grin>-Sandy G.

Every tube lover needs a tube hat. :D

Ummm...they look cool, but do they have any other purpose than looking cool? (Besides all of the wonderful uplifting things that have since happened in your life?) Bob
They are supposed to stop microphonics in tubes. The effect is subtle but there.

I was hoping they looked like little sombrero's :D

I was hoping they looked like little sombrero's :D

And for formal entertaining, they come in the basic black beaver pelt "top hat" variety, I suppose........

I was hoping they looked like little sombrero's :D

Hmmm. I think they are orthodox. Are they fur?

I was hoping they looked like little sombrero's :D
I'll be swaping them out for various holidays.
Stay tuned for Cinco de Mayo.

They look good Tom. If you don't mind my asking, what are they made from?

-Dave

They look good Tom. If you don't mind my asking, what are they made from?

-Dave

They are made of Lignum Vitae. A heavy dense wood with a naturally high oil/wax content. They have three copper wires which hold them in place.

Wow, never heard of that wood, really looks good. Good job Tom :thmbsp:

-Dave

And, I thought sure they were a made of a new conducting wood and the wires were grounds to keep the charge build-up from exploding the tubes.

But, on a serious note, am sure you didn't put them there for fun. Do you notice any sonic difference? If so, what?

And, I thought sure they were a made of a new conducting wood and the wires were grounds to keep the charge build-up from exploding the tubes.

But, on a serious note, am sure you didn't put them there for fun. Do you notice any sonic difference? If so, what?
The effect is subtle but my tubes were not very microphonic to begin with. If you are having a problem they might be essential. I think they would be worth making for most people.
Specific sonic advantage was in adding to the third dimension of the soundstage. The foot tapping, page turning, and humming along, type of sounds you normally wouldn't notice as much prior.

They are made of Lignum Vitae. A heavy dense wood with a naturally high oil/wax content. They have three copper wires which hold them in place.

Dave, further to Tom's post, Lignum Vitae, "Wood of Life" has many unusual properties, in addition to its high density. It is not just dense, but very hard, and the oil/wax, of which Tom speaks, does not wick out under stress or heat. This makes it exceptionally well-suited for wooden bearings, as the wood glazes, over time, and becomes a better bearing surface. If you are old enough to remember wringer washers, the wood blocks for the wringer rollers were originally lignum vitae, until it became scarce form overharvesting, and was replaced with lesser woods. L.V. was the wood of choice for carvers mallets, for their weight, and resistance to wear. Again, very expensive, now, and usually replaced with other woods, or synthetics. Some of the most sought-after martial arts training weapons are made of L.V. As well, lignum vitae bark has medicinal properties. In some of its natural habitats, the lignum vitae is a protected species.

It is a beautiful wood, difficult to appreciate in the small samples needed for Tom's dampers.